Newsletter

Ernesto's in, school's out

Savannah Morning News

Ricky Jones, center, a firefighter with the James Island, Fla., Public Service District Fire Department, helps to load sandbags for Gerald Galbreath, right, of James Island who made two trips on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006, to collect 24 sandbags for his home in preparing for Tropical Depression Ernesto. Looking on are other residents waiting to pickup sandbags. Tropical Storm Ernesto fizzled to a tropical depression on its trek across Florida on Wednesday but was expected to pass out to sea and regain tropical storm strength before making a second landfall along the South Carolina coast.(AP Photo/Mary Ann Chastain)

The threat of Tropical Storm Ernesto downgraded to a tropical depression overnight Wednesday, nevertheless canceled classes today for Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.

"The decision is to close the schools," Superintendent Thomas Lockamy said at a news conference Wednesday with officials from the Chatham Emergency Management Agency. "That's based on the fact we're in a tropical storm warning and based on the safety of our children."

All school-related activities, such as the Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Beach High School, all student hearings, and any PTA meetings also are canceled.

Head Start/Early Head Start Centers and Wesley Community Centers are closed as well.

Most of the private schools contacted indicated they follow Savannah-Chatham's lead in closing.

There was no word Wednesday night on whether classes would recess today At Armstrong Atlantic State university, Savannah Technical College and the Savannah College of Art and Design.

If Ernesto shifts east and you're reading this under sunny, blue skies, so be it, said Lockamy.

"I'm willing to take the heat," he said.

"I have to look at every child as if he was my own."

While children have an unexpected holiday, adults can expect a soggy, windy commute.

Forecasters expect Ernesto to bring up to 4 inches of rain and winds of 30 mph to 40 mph to the Savannah area. That's strong enough to break tree limbs and cause some power outages. The storm is predicted to be most intense here in the morning, according to Robyn Van Dyke, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Charleston.

As with any tropical system, Ernesto also brings the possibility of tornadoes. A storm surge of about 1 foot could cause minor to moderate beach erosion, Van Dyke said.

Ernesto, which was once a hurricane but was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday, could strengthen again as it travels over the Atlantic.

"It's going be over water 18 to 22 hours, and the water temperature is in the mid 80s," Van Dyke said. "It could increase to a tropical storm."

Ernesto has put Chatham residents on edge, according to Phillip Webber, director of CEMA.

His agency received calls from people worried about evacuation plans when the tropical storm was still 600 miles away. Timing might have played a role in that.

"The anxiety of the community was very high because we've gotten a steady diet of the anniversary of Katrina," he said.

Webber, who supported Lockamy's decision, nevertheless found himself in the unusual position of tamping down those concerns at times. He continued to do that Wednesday.

"This is not a Katrina-type event," he said.

"This is not a hurricane event."

For the morning commute expect heavy rain and gusty wind, but conditions should improve for the drive home

Lunchtime

Poor driving conditions likely

Evening commute

Improving conditions as storm moves away

Be Prepared

The Chatham Emergency Management Agency recommends the following activities:

Remove articles from your yard that might become flying hazards.

Stay indoors and away from windows during periods of strong gusty winds.

Stay away from downed power lines.

Report any power outages to Georgia Power at (888) 891-0938.

Have a flashlight with extra batteries.

Avoid using candles.

Do not drive through flooded roads.

Roads prone to flooding:

President Street from General McIntosh Boulevard to Pennsylvania Avenue.

General McIntosh Boulevard from President Street to East River Street.